Cristian Orozco, a 17-year-old midfielder and captain of Colombia’s under-17 team at this year’s World Cup in Qatar, has agreed to join Manchester United from Colombian Fortaleza team, club sources and transfer reporters said Thursday.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Orozco will travel to the United Kingdom “in the coming days” to complete formalities and visit United’s Trafford Training Centre. United paid a reported transfer fee of about US$1 million to Fortaleza.
Orozco, who was born July 13, 2008, in Valledupar, has not yet made his professional debut for Fortaleza. Manchester United plans to place him in its under-18 squad, where he is expected to continue his development before moving up through the academy ranks. Some reports say he will remain in Colombia until he turns 18 next July and will join United’s youth setup in the summer of 2026.
Cristian Orozco will be the first Colombian to play for Manchester United since Radamel Falcao
The move would make Orozco the second Colombian to sign for Manchester United after Radamel Falcao Garcia. Falcao appeared in 29 matches for United, scoring four goals and providing five assists. Mateo Mejia is also listed among Colombians who have worn the club’s kit.
Scouts at Old Trafford were said to have been impressed by Orozco’s composure on the ball, his ability to initiate play from the back, and his physicality in recovering possession. Journalists and analysts described him as tenacious, quick, and capable of penetrating spaces, attributes that United’s scouting network values for young midfielders.
🚨🇨🇴 Excl: Manchester United next signing Cristian Orozco will be in UK in the next days to complete his move.#MUFC will pay $1m fee to Fortaleza for 17 year old midfielder.
🎥 More: https://t.co/jquQByjnqH pic.twitter.com/T0PzxfTal1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 27, 2025
Fortaleza stood to benefit significantly from the sale, which club coverage called one of the club’s most lucrative transfers in recent years for such a young player. Manchester United is currently 10th in the Premier League after an inconsistent start to the season under questioned manager Ruben Amorim.
When he arrives in England, Orozco is expected to meet members of the coaching staff and complete legal and registration formalities before being formally announced. Manchester United did not immediately issue a statement, and the club’s first-team manager, referenced in local reports, was expected to speak with the youngster during his visit.